How to Get Your Arkansas Driver’s License in 2019

Need to prepare for the Arkansas permit test but don’t know where to start? Passing the Arkansas permit test is an important first step toward getting your unrestricted driver’s license.

If you want to become a fully licensed driver, you will need to become familiar with the Arkansas graduated licensing program (GDL). The Arkansas GDL is a three-step process that has been designed to help young drivers gain the experience and knowledge needed to safely navigate the roads.

In Arkansas, the GDL program consists of obtaining your:

Learner’s license (or learner’s permit)

Intermediate driver’s license

Full driver’s license

In this guide, we will show you how to pass the Arkansas permit test and go on to become a fully licensed driver.

Learner’s License

When you are 14 years old, you are eligible to apply for an Arkansas learner’s license (or learner’s permit). The permit will allow you to practice driving when accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or older. To receive your permit, you must pass a written exam and a behind-the-wheel test. The written exam (or permit test) will check your knowledge of the rules of the road as well as various traffic signals and signs.

Study Hard for The Written Exam

It will be difficult to pass the written exam if you don’t study properly. Read the entire handbook and take extra time to go over any areas you feel uncomfortable with. We provide a free copy of the Arkansas Driver’s Handbook for you to use.

Take Practice Tests

It’s a good idea to take some practice tests to help familiarize yourself with the material on the exam. Our Arkansas practice permit test includes a lot of the subject matter you will find on the real test, and it’s a great way to increase your chances of doing well.

Collect the Required Items and Visit Your Local Testing Site

In Arkansas, learner’s license tests are issued by the Arkansas state police(ASP), meaning that you will need to visit your local ASP testing site to do your exam. Before you leave, make sure you bring:

Your certified birth certificate

A high-school diploma or proof of enrollment with at least a 2.0 GPA

Two forms of identification that show your full name and date of birth

Your social security card or an affidavit stating that you don’t have a social security number

$20 for license fees

Do Your Testing

After passing your written exam, you will need to take a vision test to ensure that you can see well enough to drive. From there, you will be given a behind-the-wheel test to show that you understand the basic functions of the vehicle.

Intermediate Driver’s License

When you are 16 years old and have held your learner’s license for at least six months without any accidents or traffic violations, you are eligible to apply for your intermediate license. When you are ready, visit your local Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) and bring a few important items along with you:

Your learner’s license

Your certified birth certificate or other proof of identity, such as your passport or naturalization certificate

Your social security card or an affidavit that confirms you have no social security number

$20 in license fees

At this time, you will also need to sign a statement confirming that you understand the driving restrictions that come with your intermediate license, including:

For the first six months, you must drive with a licensed adult in the vehicle

Aside from emergency situations, you may not drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. unless accompanied by an adult age 21 or older, or when driving to work, school or church

You and all your passengers must wear a seat belt at all times

You may not use your cell phone while driving even if you have a hands-free device

You may only carry one minor passenger without a licensed adult age 21 or older in the car with you unless the minors are family members

Driver’s License

When you are 18 years old and have held your intermediate license for at least 12 months without an accident or traffic violation, you can apply for your full Arkansas driver’s license.

Visit your local OMV office and bring along:

Your intermediate license

Your proof of identity

Your social security card or an affidavit confirming that you don’t have a social security number

$20 for license fees

Once you receive your full license, your driving hours and passengers will no longer be restricted, but you will still be required to use a hands-free phone until you are 21 years of age.

Additional Information

If you are moving to Arkansas and currently hold an out-of-state license, you may exchange it for an Arkansas license at your local OMV office. If you have a license that has been expired for 31 days or less, you will not need to retake the written and vision test. If your license has been expired for longer than 31 days but less than a year, you will need to redo those tests. If it’s been longer than a year, you will need to retake all three tests, including the behind-the-wheel test.